Just started Smith collection, input/advice welcomed

[tyndalltb]

It's a disease

Don't miss the Lakeland Show, it's the best hunting ground for collectible old Smith's in the Central Florida area, 3 times a year!

 

[bigwheelzip]

Looks like you have Stainless Steel tendencies also.

I am new to firearms, and after I picked up a trio of stainless Smiths, I started craving Stainless. They were my Gateway Drug. Then I NEEDED a Stainless 24 inch octagon barrel .357 lever action Rossi 1892. Then I NEEDED a Stainless CZ75B 9mm. Now I'm CRAVING a Stainless 1873 Uberti El Patron. Those first Smiths gave me Blingitis, and I got it bad. Need a Twelve-Step program.

 

[681NUT]

12 steps to success

Twelve steps away from the target should be all you need!

 

[at_liberty]

First id like to say this Forum has helped me more in the past 30 days than I could ever have imagined. What a wealth of information without all the derogatory input found on some other forums.

After several years acquiring and shooting various types of firearms Ive recently become a huge fan of the Smith Revolver. I started looking for a .44 backup for big game hunt this year. I found a .44 mountain 4" and purchasing it lit a fire in me for these finely crafted handguns.Not having much experience with wheel guns has brought me to your door for a study. Its been helpful to say the least!

I've been trying to find some interesting pieces for a start on my collection and have purchased or traded for 4 in the past 2 weeks. I love em all and haven't shot a single one yet but will do so shortly. (waiting on some loading Durand manuals)

I just wanted to say thanks for all your info and see if some of you could provide some input on the current collection and steer me in the right direction in the future. Any models or years to stay away from????

Currently have. Model 10-7 snubby, 686-6 Talo 3", 629-6 mountain 4", 624 3" Lee Horton I believe. All have boxes and goodies except the mod 10

First thing I would do is move away from the short barrels, except you would really want to grab a 696 (5-shot 44 Spl), if given the chance and had an interest in carrying it concealed.

Look for a target gun 5" or longer barrel. Match guns were 38 Special.

 

[OLDSTER]

I like to concentrate on a specific model; I collect the K-38/15 Combat Masterpiece; started with what I could afford, until I had the 9 examples ( based on date and variant) I wanted, and now my goal is upgrading each one to higher condition examples re; ANIB, NIB, mint, box included etc. Whatever you do, it'll be an enjoyable and worthwhile hobby for a handgun nut. AND, if need be, you can always recover your investment Good luck

 

[H Richard]

I sort of decided on History. I have representative S&W's from every decade from 1860 to present. Then fill in with lots of shooter's from Pre WWII and early Post War when they make the best ones.

 

[Officerblue]

Don't focus on one caliber! Variety is the spice of life. Get and collect everything you can get your hands on from the 22 to the big 500 Magnum.

 

[bananaman]

Great start! Welcome to the FORUM! Your Mountain Gun would be my favorite. I do not know what your shooting type is. If you spend any time at the range shooting targets, a 6 incher should be in your future. If you like 38 Special, a Model 14 is a good choice. 686, 6" is another. I can go on & on. Enjoy and shoot your guns! Bob

 

[Steelerfan#1]

Welcome! You will find all the answers to the questions you never knew you had here, great wealth of knowledge and genuine folks. My advice is buy what you can afford and enjoy it, just beware that you'll soon be justifying buying every one you see from this point forward. Again welcome.

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

Youre missing a j frame, Sir

 

[Zumkopf]

The long and short of it is the long and short of it. You need something in a longer barrel (6" or so), and a smaller one (J frame snubby). My personal favorite is a 19-5 6", in terms of balance and accuracy; I personally find the 6" 686 nose-heavy, though many swear by it. I second the advice about clustering calibers; with one exception (a Model 29), all of my Smith wheelguns can take 38 cal. By far the cheapest to shoot.

That brings up the other question alluded to: do you want to be a shooter, or a collector? The two markets are very different. In fact, I would say they barely overlap at all, since a collectible becomes a shooter if it is shot with any frequency. [Or, to put it another way, can you bear to spoil the pristine-ness of your newly acquired Model XX Nickel with powder residue and a turn line?] I personally wouldn't want a gun I wouldn't shoot, so the fact that my 19-5 isn't "P&R" doesn't bother me; others really get a kick out of having something perfect that was made when craftsmanship mattered.

 

[boykinlp]

This forum is a great place to learn! We are also a bunch of enablers and we love to spend YOUR money!

Looking at pictures on the forum can fill up a "wish list" very quickly. Good luck and welcome to the obsession!